Louisville, Kentucky

On the following pages, you'll find Louisville attractions and things to do, Louisville events, news, and restaurants. You'll also find plenty of news about what we think is the best zoo in the country, The Louisville Zoo.

I wanted to pass along to you a really unique evening program that we will be offering on Monday, June 5 featuring Michael Twitty, world renowned culinary historian, author, blogger, chef, TED Fellow, Smith Fellow at the Southern Foodways Alliance, and first Revolutionary in Residence at Colonial Williamsburg.

The Frazier Museum is partnering with New Roots, Inc. to bring Michael Twitty to Louisville for a three-day programming series in early June. That series will include public presentations, ticketed dinners, tours of local farms, a visit by Mr. Twitty with students of Lincoln Foundation’s Whitney M. YOUNG Scholars Program®, and presiding as Guest Chef at the grand opening of New Roots’ The Gendler Grapevine Fresh Stop Market @ The Jewish Community Center.

The key Frazier event will be a Farm to Frazier Initiative to begin with a public program by Mr. Twitty on African-Americans’ historical contributions to American food traditions (6:00-7:30pm). Immediately following the program, they will host a ticketed Antebellum Chef-inspired, rooftop dinner with an up close experience Michael Twitty (7:30-9:00pm).

Susan Hershberg of Wiltshire on Market and Wiltshire Pantry, is designing the menu with Michael Twitty, and the Carter Louis Band will provide music. Best of all, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Lincoln Foundation. For more information on what should be a spectacular evening, visit the Frazier Musuem’s website!

Hats for Hope will once again partner with Kosair Charities for a signature pre-Derby silent auction cocktail event, which will be held April 20, 2017 at the Triple Crown Conference Center located at 1776 Plantside Drive in Louisville. Over the past 13 years, Hats for Hope has raised well over a half million dollars by auctioning new and gently worn designer Kentucky Derby hats, as well as high end auction items including gift baskets, jewelry, gift certificates, trips and more. In addition to the silent auction, guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a complimentary cocktail or soda, and desserts. Beyond this, a cash bar will be available. Attendees will also enjoy trying on hats and posing for photographs with their friends. “We will have 300+ of our best Derby hats available for auction as well as gift packages and tickets to favorite sporting events. Tickets are available online starting today, and we recommended that ticket purchases be made early,” stated Ann Mudge, the fundraiser’s Chair. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 the day of the event. To purchase tickets or to learn more about this exciting event, visit www.hatsforhopelouisville.org. Hats for Hope has grown from a small group of volunteers creating a corporate fundraiser to a premier event and Louisville tradition to kick-off the Derby season. Last year, the event raised $65,500 in support of the fight against cancer.

The event celebrates survivorship, friendship, fashion and fun. In recent years, event proceeds have supported primarily breast cancer patient care; however, this is the second year we will be expanding our scope to support families and children affected by cancer. Kosair Charities has agreed to partner with Hats for Hope in order to carry the fundraiser well into the future. About Kosair Charities Since 1923 Kosair Charities has had one primary mission – helping children in need. Kosair Charities knows that the quality of a child’s tomorrow depends largely on the quality of health, medical treatment, and support a child receives today. Kosair Charities supports over 100 pediatric agencies in our community by donating funding for research, clinical services, health education and care every year.

As a food blogger, I think about recipe development, ingredients, and food combinations almost every waking hour. As a Kentucky blogger and proud Kentuckian, I am devoted to supporting Kentucky businesses and committed to promoting them on Genuine Kentucky and any other platform I can climb upon.

Lucky for me, Kentuckians are great at what they do and if I can just get them to try their Kentucky Made product once, they’ll return again and again and again. Which is what my husband and I do when it comes to our favorite Kentucky food.

Louisville’s own Bourbon Barrel Foods makes a Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt, Pepper, and Sugar are three such addictions.

As you can see in the picture above, I have a Rachael Ray 3-Tiered Salt box (as any Rachael Ray fan would have, right?). Kosher Salt, Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt, and Himalayan Salt live in the three compartments – at all times. The Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt is out of this world on and with any meat you can think of. It gives the bacon, fish, chicken, steak, burgers.. whatever…. an unmistakable and delicious smoky, bourbon flavor that kicks it up to a whole new level.

I’ve also sprinkled it on eggs, pasta, and baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, and fries and it’s a knock out every single time. I’ve even been known to make hot cocoa, top it with whipped topping, drizzle on a little caramel, and sprinkle the top with Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt.

So good… you don’t even know.

I find my Bourbon Smoked Sea Salt, sugar, and pepper all at Kroger. They’re always in a “Kentucky Foods” kiosk that’s usually in the back of the store. The display used to be at the front of the store, near the checkouts, but they (unfortunately) moved them to the back.

As I said in my most recent review of Two Sisters Jams, I’ll be doing different varieties/flavors over the coming days. Each is so darn good, they warrant their own post and their own moment in the spotlight.

Today’s moment belongs to Two Sisters Strawberry Rhubarb Jam.

Two Sisters Jams are based right here in Kentucky. Buying “Kentucky Proud” foods is something we aren’t just passionate about, we’re borderline obsessed with it. I have to admit something, though – Two Sisters Jams, Jellies and Preserves are so ridiculously delicious, I’d be a fan whether they were made in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, or New York City.

Yes. Indiana*.

One of my favorite jams has always been Strawberry, so this was actually the first jar I opened when I received a beautiful stash of jams. I might or might not have dove right into the deliciousness with a spoon.

SO GOOD!

Not only are Two Sisters Jams off the charts delicious, they’re downright beautiful, to boot. Everything about them lets you know they’re homemade and stand heads and shoulders over the rest. Even if you’re normally on the fence when it comes to jams, jellies, and preserves, these sisters will make you suddenly obsessed with them.

I enjoyed this gorgeous, flavorful jam on biscuits, corn muffins. toast, and, of course, the spoon. When the jar was nearly empty, I actually put a little applesauce in the jar and – holy cats – it rocked my world.

I can’t tell you how wonderful this jam is – all I can say is, “Mmmmmmm….”

By the way, when you’re on the Two Sisters Website and you’re shopping in the store, be aware that there are three pages. I do not want you to miss any of these beautiful jams, jellies, and preserves.

* Just good-natured kidding toward our northern neighbors – we lived in southern Indiana for a few years and loved it. Except during basketball season… not the best place to live when you’re die-hard UK fans!

The Mayor’s Cup, a 22 mile race from Westport, KY to Louisville’s Waterfront Park – be the first to cross the finish line and have your name engraved on the Louisville Mayor’s Cup trophy!

The SUP-7, A 7 mile Stand up Paddleboard race from Harrods Creek, KY to Waterfront Park

The Voyageur Canoe Race, an ultimate canoe challenge, is a 7 mile race from Harrods Creek, KY to Waterfront Park. Teams of 11 paddlers race 30’ Voyageur Canoes, furnished by the City of Louisville.

The Riverthon racing series started in 2011 with running of the first Mayor’s Cup Race. In 2013 the Louisville 50 race was added and in 2015 it has grown to four events. Riverthon is produced and conducted by River City Paddlesports, Inc. a 501c3 all-volunteer nonprofit corporation. A portion of donations for Riverthon are designated for charity.

Event information and registration fees can be found at Riverthon.org.

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

Kentucky State Parks

We have a special passion for Kentucky State Parks, so you'll find many articles and reviews centered around the beautiful state parks in Kentucky.

A personal goal is to visit, photograph, and enjoy each and every one of our state parks and eat at each of the state resort parks. Make no mistake about it, we're well on our way!

Bird Watching in Kentucky!

One of our greatest passions is birds and bird watching is an absolute favorite pastime. If you love our feathered friends and want to learn more about bird watching and attracting birds to your own backyard, be sure to check out our section dedicated entirely to Kentucky birds.

Kentucky Restaurants and Reviews

Kentucky Blogs Database

If you have a Kentucky Blog - or you're simply a Kentuckian who blogs! - you might want to consider adding your blog to a new KY Blogs Database. It's run by "one of us," as in a fellow Kentuckian! Click the link to check it out. I've added Genuine Kentucky and will be adding my other blogs as well.

Kentucky Pictures

Advertising & Reviews

If you are interested in advertising on Genuine Kentucky, please contact us: e-mail Joi Sigers.

Also, if you have a resort, condo, golf course, restaurant, or even a cup of coffee (LOVE coffee!) you'd like for us to review, please contact us at joi@genuinekentucky.com.

Genuine Kentucky Disclaimer

We do not work for any Kentucky service or organization. We are simply proud to have been born and raised in the greatest state in the country and are thrilled to call it home. This site serves as our tribute to Kentucky and its warm and wonderful people. Our mission is to bring more travelers to Kentucky and keep more Kentuckians home! See our Privacy Policy.